# STEX

> former U.S. military satellite

**Wikidata**: [Q7394731](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7394731)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STEX)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/stex

## Summary
STEX is a former United States military satellite that was operated by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). Launched in 1998, it is classified as an artificial satellite designed for military purposes.

## Key Facts
- **Operator:** National Reconnaissance Office (NRO)
- **Launch Date:** October 3, 1998
- **Launch Vehicle:** Minotaur-C (a four-stage, solid fuel rocket)
- **Launch Site:** Vandenberg Launch Complex 576
- **Classification:** Military satellite
- **COSPAR ID:** 1998-055A
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 25489
- **Wolfram Language Entity Code:** Entity["Satellite", "25489"]

## FAQs
### Q: Who was responsible for operating the STEX satellite?
A: STEX was operated by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), which is the U.S. government agency responsible for designing, building, and operating reconnaissance satellites.

### Q: What type of rocket was used to launch STEX?
A: The satellite was launched using a Minotaur-C, which is a four-stage launch vehicle powered by solid fuel.

### Q: When and where did the STEX launch take place?
A: STEX was launched on October 3, 1998, from Vandenberg Launch Complex 576.

## Why It Matters
STEX represents a specific era of U.S. military space operations under the management of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). As a military satellite, it was part of the specialized infrastructure used for artificial satellite applications in a defense and intelligence context. The deployment of STEX utilized the Minotaur-C, a four-stage solid fuel vehicle, highlighting the technical requirements and logistical frameworks necessary for placing military assets into orbit from sites like Vandenberg Launch Complex 576.

While specific mission objectives for military satellites are often restricted, the presence of STEX in international registries like COSPAR (1998-055A) and the Satellite Catalog (25489) marks its place in the historical record of orbital technology. Its existence provides insight into the types of vehicles and launch facilities prioritized for national security missions during the late 1990s. By serving as a documented instance of a military satellite, STEX contributes to the broader understanding of how the United States maintains its strategic capabilities in the space domain.

## Notable For
- **NRO Operation:** Managed by the National Reconnaissance Office, the primary U.S. agency for space-based reconnaissance.
- **Minotaur-C Deployment:** Utilized a specific four-stage, solid fuel launch vehicle for its orbital insertion.
- **Vandenberg Launch:** Launched from the specific military installation at Vandenberg Launch Complex 576.
- **International Identification:** Tracked under the unique Satellite Catalog Number 25489 and COSPAR ID 1998-055A.

## Body

### Operational Context
STEX is a former military satellite belonging to the United States. It is categorized as an artificial satellite used for military purposes and was managed by the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The entity is recognized in various scientific and technical databases, including Wolfram Language and Freebase.

### Launch and Deployment
The satellite was successfully launched on October 3, 1998. The launch event took place at Vandenberg Launch Complex 576. The mission utilized a Minotaur-C launch vehicle, which is a four-stage rocket characterized by its use of solid fuel. This vehicle class is specifically designed for delivering payloads into orbit.

### Technical Identification
STEX is documented with several unique identifiers used by the scientific and defense communities:
- **COSPAR ID:** 1998-055A
- **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 25489
- **Freebase ID:** /m/02z8jxt
- **Wolfram Code:** Entity["Satellite", "25489"]

The satellite has been documented across multiple languages in global knowledge bases, including English, German (de), and Galician (gl). Its primary classification remains as a military satellite, distinguishing it from civilian or commercial orbital assets.

## References

1. Jonathan's Space Report